ball pythons acting weird. please help

[NickR0985]

ok, i just got a baby ball python. i followed the no handling rules for the first week, fed him on thursday November 17, waited a few days then started handling him. i got home today to see that he took a really big crap. it was alot, which i dont know if its normal. also he is secreting a jelly substance from the end of his tail, and its clear and a little bit of it is a very light red. im pretty worried, i did some research before i got him and didnt read anything about that. also his belly is a slight pink color which i read means they are starting a shedding cycle. is this all do to the shedding cycle or do i have another problem? and should i take him to see a specialist. and last, i have him in a 10gal tank with a under the tank heat pad, is this sufficient. the guy at the store said its all i need but my room tends to get pretty cold at night. thanks.

[Shelby]

Big poops are normal for pythons.. but the jelly stuff is not. Can you post a picture? I would take to a vet asap though.. a reptile vet.

The heating pad should have either a rheostat or a thermostat to control it. Pet store heat pads get WAY too hot on their own. Matt (justcage) here can get you all set up. http://www.mgreptiles.com/

Do you have two nice tight hide spots in the tank? One on each side?

[tigerlily]

First off never believe what the pet store people tell ya. I swear some of those folks have never read an animal caresheet in their life! The pink belly could be an indicator for an upcoming shed but it could also be the early stages of a burn. You need to monitor those heating devices closely. Do you have a digital thermometer? They have some really inexpensive ones at Walmart in the outdoor thermometer section. Get one that monitors two temps and humidity!! They're awesome.

As for the jelly stuff.... Not too sure about that. If you haven't had the animal checked by a vet I'd do that. It's always good to know that they don't have any internal parasites.

[NickR0985]

i dont have a camera. im going to take him to a vet. i only have one hide spot. should i get a second, and is a 10gal big enough. i always check the bottom of the tank where the heat pad is to make sure its not to hot or cold, its always warm.

[Shelby]

Yes get a second hide definitely. A 10 gallon is fine for a baby BP.. a bigger tank would stress him.

You can't tell the temperature just by feeling with your hand. Correct temperatures are the most basic and important part of snake husbandry. Do your animal a favor and buy a thermostat.. you can also get that from Matt. Warm side should be 92-95 degrees.. cool side 82-85.. anything less than 75 degrees is dangerous for the snake.

[NickR0985]

would i be better off taking out the heat mat and just using a lamp and a thermostat?

[Shelby]

No.. if you're getting a thermostat, use the under tank heater. Lamps dry out the air too much.. no humidity. If your house is cold, you may need a second heat mat, or even a space heater to make sure the tank doesn't go below 75. I have a heater in my herp room.. it's a constant 82 degrees in here.

[NickR0985]

and while im here whats the best thing to use for the floor of the tank. im using a white substarate i got from the pet store. i believe its called desert snow. but i noticed when i fed him a piece got in his mouth and it took him a while to get it out.

[Shelby]

What is it like? If it's sand like, don't use it. I personally use newspaper for all 21 of my babies. Aspen is fine.. and carefresh.. just not cedar or pine.

[NickR0985]

not sand, its like thick soft paper. what about the astro turf stuff. ive seen some people using that.